Forsyth County Water Quality: 73 Violations (NC)
8 water systems · 15 ZIP codes · Home Safety Score 80/100 (B) · 15 of 35 tracked ZIP records scored · Updated
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified:
Violation Trend
EPA violations across water systems in Forsyth County.
Concerned about water quality in Forsyth County?
Get connected with a certified testing service.
Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
Forsyth County has 8 community water systems across 15 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 689,375 people. The available records contain 73 EPA violations, including 3 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 4% of all violations in Forsyth County. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 3 | 4.1% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 70 | 95.9% |
| Total | 73 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kernersville | 21 | 1 | 1 | 57,119 |
| 2 | Rural Hall | 20 | 2 | 1 | 10,086 |
| 3 | Winston Salem | 14 | 0 | 7 | 221,629 |
| 4 | Pfafftown | 6 | 0 | 1 | 12,574 |
| 5 | Tobaccoville | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3,701 |
| 6 | Clemmons | 3 | 0 | 1 | 29,708 |
| 7 | Lewisville | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13,998 |
| 8 | Walkertown | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7,674 |
| 9 | Belews Creek | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3,493 |
Violation Trend
Year-by-year EPA violations across water systems in Forsyth County:
| Year | Total | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 17 | 5 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 16 | 15 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 5 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 4 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 2 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 3 | 2 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 1 | 1 | Yes |
Water Data and the Home Safety Score
This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (B) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.
Water Systems in Forsyth County
Forsyth County is served by 8 community water systems, averaging 0.2 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in Forsyth County source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in Forsyth County
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 115 enforcement actions against water systems in Forsyth County. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Forsyth County
Water quality varies across Forsyth County's 15 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | City | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27284 | Kernersville | 21 | 1 | View → |
| 27045 | Rural Hall | 20 | 2 | View → |
| 27040 | Pfafftown | 6 | 0 | View → |
| 27050 | Tobaccoville | 6 | 0 | View → |
| 27106 | Winston Salem | 6 | 0 | View → |
| 27012 | Clemmons | 3 | 0 | View → |
| 27127 | Winston Salem | 3 | 0 | View → |
| 27009 | Belews Creek | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 27023 | Lewisville | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 27051 | Walkertown | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 27101 | Winston Salem | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 27103 | Winston Salem | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 27104 | Winston Salem | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 27105 | Winston Salem | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 27109 | Winston Salem | 1 | 0 | View → |
Water facts and the Home Safety Score
The score shown here is the broader Home Safety Score, not a water-quality grade. Model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, PFAS screening, radon zones, and annual air-quality evidence. Forsyth County has a score of 80/100 (Grade B) across 15 scored of 35 tracked ZIP records.
Not sure if your water needs a filter?
Our free tool matches your ZIP code data to the right filtration system - based on actual contaminants detected in your area.
Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in Forsyth County, North Carolina?
Forsyth County has 8 community water systems with 73 recorded EPA violations, including 3 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Forsyth County have?
Forsyth County has 73 total EPA violations across 15 directly mapped ZIP records. 3 are health-based.
Which city in Forsyth County has the most water violations?
Kernersville has the most violations in Forsyth County with 21 recorded EPA violations across 1 ZIP code.
What contaminants are found in Forsyth County water?
Forsyth County water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in Forsyth County?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).